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Answers (15)
Best Answer

- Charles Hewitt, "Charles Hewitt"
- Contributions:10
Unless there are obvious flaws (structural defects), don't count on getting any money back that you put into it. Get your carpets cleaned, "Magic Eraser" spots on the walls, and do a good cleaning! Remove 1/2 of everything in each closet and get it out of the house. Make sure nothing is lying around.
Then meet with a top agent in your area - if you recognize their name, other's will too. Have them do a market analysis for you (should be free) and take their advice on pricing to sell. Also listen to their specifics about staging. Good luck, and get it sold!
Then meet with a top agent in your area - if you recognize their name, other's will too. Have them do a market analysis for you (should be free) and take their advice on pricing to sell. Also listen to their specifics about staging. Good luck, and get it sold!

- Sharon Lewis, "SharonLewisHomes.com"
- Contributions:13
What kind of improvements do you think you would need? Do NOT put your address here by the way, because a potential buyer could do a search on the address and come up with this thread.
Painting is always a great way to update things, neutral paint please.
Clean up the entrance to the house, its the first thing your buyers are going to see.
Get a great agent who prices it aggressively if you need to do major updates. Do NOT tell people you are divorcing. Tell your neighbors, once the house is listed, they may know people who want to purchase, tell your co workers too, keep the house looking great, you loved it when you bought it, someone like you is out there who will also love it.
On a personal note, I am so sorry you both are going down this road. I hope it all turns out perfectly for each of you.
Painting is always a great way to update things, neutral paint please.
Clean up the entrance to the house, its the first thing your buyers are going to see.
Get a great agent who prices it aggressively if you need to do major updates. Do NOT tell people you are divorcing. Tell your neighbors, once the house is listed, they may know people who want to purchase, tell your co workers too, keep the house looking great, you loved it when you bought it, someone like you is out there who will also love it.
On a personal note, I am so sorry you both are going down this road. I hope it all turns out perfectly for each of you.

- USA Home Buyer
- Contributions:9
We disapprove of spam too, and apologize for the promotional statements contained in our post. Thanks for keeping us on our toes!

- USA Home Buyer
- Contributions:9
The answers you've received so far are all good advice. You may also want to consider selling your home to a professional home buyer. Our company is currently buying homes in the Nashville area. [promotion removed by Zillow moderator] Visit our Zillow profile for website address, or contact toll-free [phone removed by Zillow moderator] We would love to have the opportunity to review your home!

- Stephanie Crawford, "AgentSteph77"
- Contributions:158
I grew up in Donelson/Hermitage and know the area well. I'd be happy to meet with you to discuss some options if you're looking for a local professional to help.

- Nayna Bawa, "Nayna Bawa"
- Contributions:114
If there is less money available for improvements that you deem necessary, then perhaps you could place the house at a more competitive price point. Also, there are many strategic tricks to setting up your home for sale. Decrease any clutter, have a pleasant scent, have as much natural light into your house, etc. - I could go on and on but you would be better served by speaking to a local real estate professional about your options. I hope I helped to answer your question.

- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5663
If your #1 goal is to sell quickly, then price it to sell and don't invest too much money trying to get "max value" out of the sale.
If the reason you are sweating "improvements" is because you are worried that the house, as is, won't sell for what you owe - have a few REAs give you CMAs and see where their estimates are at.
Either (divorce or selling your house) is stressful enough. Trying to do both at the same time - and finding time/money to do "improvements" too? Way more stress than I'd sign up for. If you can, just price it to get it behind you and move on.
If the reason you are sweating "improvements" is because you are worried that the house, as is, won't sell for what you owe - have a few REAs give you CMAs and see where their estimates are at.
Either (divorce or selling your house) is stressful enough. Trying to do both at the same time - and finding time/money to do "improvements" too? Way more stress than I'd sign up for. If you can, just price it to get it behind you and move on.

- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
If your home needs cosmetic work and minor repairs, that's doable without a lot of money. The time and effort you spend painting, cleaning, decluttering and fixing minor repairs is well worth the investment and can literally make the difference of thousands of dollars in resale.
If your home needs major repairs, a new roof for example, you can market your home this way. It will obviously have to be priced accordingly but these days, with loan products such as a 203k which is essentially a rehab loan, these properties are very marketable to buyers looking for these type of properties as long as it is priced well.
Take some deep breaths and start tackling what you can so that you can both move on as quickly as possible. Every time you make a bit of progress in getting the home ready for sale, you are that much closer to your end goal. Take small steps, don't think of everything you have to do at once because it is overwhelming, and this will eventually all be behind you.
Best of luck.
If your home needs major repairs, a new roof for example, you can market your home this way. It will obviously have to be priced accordingly but these days, with loan products such as a 203k which is essentially a rehab loan, these properties are very marketable to buyers looking for these type of properties as long as it is priced well.
Take some deep breaths and start tackling what you can so that you can both move on as quickly as possible. Every time you make a bit of progress in getting the home ready for sale, you are that much closer to your end goal. Take small steps, don't think of everything you have to do at once because it is overwhelming, and this will eventually all be behind you.
Best of luck.

- sunnyview
- Contributions:25127
I am sorry to hear about your divorce, but don't stress about fixing up your house to sell. The best thing you can do is clean it until it sparkles, get rid of anything in a room that does not make it look better, give a purpose to each space (bedroom, office, eating area) and if you cannot put an easy label on the room neither can buyers.
It will be ok. Just do what you can. A good agent can help tell you what buyers will want to see.
It will be ok. Just do what you can. A good agent can help tell you what buyers will want to see.

- Randy Morris, "Randys homes"
- Contributions:27
If you price your home competively it will sell.if it needs improvements the best way to sell it is 'as is' with all faults.
What is your address?I can put together a comparable market anlysis for you.
Selling your home is all about price,location and condition.
Good luck!
What is your address?I can put together a comparable market anlysis for you.
Selling your home is all about price,location and condition.
Good luck!

- evesmom
- Contributions:2
The house is located in Lake Park subdivision in Hermitage, TN. It isn't listed yet, because we've been really stressed about "fixing it up".

- Kevin Pellatiro, "Kevin Pellatiro"
- Contributions:26
Absolutely, you may have some options on pricing strategies to help you see something happen in the short time we have before the holidays + there may be some options for improvement (if needed) where costs can be deferred until the property sells. In case your property might be a match for a homebuyer already aware of the available home on MLS – do you mind sharing what area of town your home-to-sell is in?

- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26804
Selling is not the time for improvements on a home, but a home that is in good repair, decluttered, clean and move in ready is likely to be more attractive to buyers than one that needs significant repairs in order to be liveable.
The two of you will have to put your heads together (even though tough at this time) to make a decision on your approach. Are you willing to price low so that those looking for fixer uppers will be willing to bid? If a repair is going to cost $5,000 - plan on the buyer deducting 2 to 3x the cost of the repair from the fair market value of the house for inconvenience.
The two of you will have to put your heads together (even though tough at this time) to make a decision on your approach. Are you willing to price low so that those looking for fixer uppers will be willing to bid? If a repair is going to cost $5,000 - plan on the buyer deducting 2 to 3x the cost of the repair from the fair market value of the house for inconvenience.



Divorce in progress; need to sell home quickly, and no money available for improvements. help?
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